King’s Birthday honours for radio’s Hamish Blake, Ian Grace and more

Hamish Blake is one of several radio people to be recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the arts as an entertainer, and to the community

Alongside Andy Lee, Blake has achieved huge success across radio and podcasting as one half of the comedy duo Hamish & Andy.

On learning of the OAM news, Blake said, whilst he felt very honoured, “Now I feel very guilty I didn’t even get the King a birthday present.”

Ian Grace (pictured above) was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to radio, and to the music industry.

Grace is well known for his time as program director for Triple M in Sydney and Melbourne, where he oversaw and helped to form some of the greatest radio shows of all time in Doug Mulray and later The D Generation.

Cassandra Wilkinson (pictured above) – former Senior Vice President of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia – was honoured with an OAM for her service to the broadcast media and the community.

Former 2GB broadcaster Stephen O’Doherty received an OAM in the General Division for his service to the community through a range of organisations, including Christian Media & Arts Australia.

Others to be recognised in this year’s honours list include ABC 891 legal commentator and former FiveAA Breakfast host Alex Ward, 3RRR presenter Richard Watts, veteran radio and television broadcaster Sandy Roberts and comedian Jimmy Rees.